Thanks to a generous foundation grant, Project GRACE was able to help parents and school nurses and social workers purchase 61 pairs of new shoes and winter boots for kids. All kids deserve to feel good themselves. New, well-fitting shoes give dignity, joy, and boost self-esteem. That’s why Project GRACE has expanded our school outreach program to include a pair of new shoes for children that need them. We want kids to focus on their studies rather than their circumstances.

Use curtains or window shades -- open them when it's sunny so you can get solar gain, close them when the sun goes down or during extremely cold spells to add an extra layer of insulation between you and the frigid air outside -- need a quick, inexpensive fix? Try a pvc/plastic shower curtain liner! It can also help to put curtains on a tension rod on doors leading to the outside.

Close closet doors to keep more of the heat in the room.

Wear layers - a fleece vest, sweater, or extra pair of warm socks can keep your body warmer, which is easier than keeping a whole room or house warmer.

Allow air to circulate around baseboards and radiators -- make sure you aren't blocking all that heat by having a sofa or comfy armchair or bunch of stuff between the heat and the rest of the room and you.

Be quick about entering or leaving your house -- and make sure you have all your things so you don't have to go back multiple times -- every time you open the door, you've made a 21 square-foot hole in the wall!

Be heat smart -- if you want heat, raise the setting on the thermostat slowly and stop when you hear your furnace start -- sometimes a little blast of warmth is all you need.

It's never too late to find out if there are air-leaks that can be fixed with a small investment -- adding foam insulation, caulking cracks, and well-placed insulation can add up over time to more heat and a smaller fuel bill, too.

Using low-flow shower heads and installing programmable thermostats can also help you save on fuel and funds.

Install a door sweep -- or make a door 'snake' -- to keep air from escaping under the sill (DIY: sew a long thin cloth tube of scrap fabric, fill it with dried rice, beans, or sand -- something heavy enough to keep it in place). It's amazing how even a small draft can make a room a lot colder, so if you can cut that bit of air out it immediately makes a difference.

Keep blankets and lap rugs handy and use them. When we sit, our circulation slows down. Keeping a throw blanket over your lap while you're knitting or watching TV can improve your comfort levels without turning up the thermostat.

Watch your thermostat, and put it down at night or when you leave the house -- some studies show turning your thermostat down by 1° could cut your heating bill by as much as 5%.

We would like to thank Jim Conroy and his team at Conroy's Oil for making a bunch of timely oil deliveries, as well as our friends at Fieldings, Dead River, Cash Energy, Giroux, Frederick Bros., ACE Oil, ACE Hardware, Atlantic Firewood, Southern Maine Firewood, and several others for helping us get oil, firewood, propane, and K1 out to our neighbors. Thanks also to all who give to the fuel fund so we can pay the bills. We hope everyone is safe and cozy at home!

We would like to thank everyone who has helped out Project GRACE this past year. The generosity and thoughtfulness of our community throughout the year, and especially at the holidays, is inspiring. Our hearts are grateful, and we wish you a joyous 2018!

Together we can help our neighbors have a more joyful holiday season. We are hearing from families who are worried about how they'll keep their homes warm, put food on the table, and make sure their kids find a few items under the tree. Can we count on your help this holiday season?

Thank you for helping me take care of my family...it is lovely of you.

Our basket was wonderful! I cannot thank you enough! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! We would not have had a thanksgiving meal without your help!

Thank you for helping me and my children again this year. This should be the very last time! One day I will be able to help you help others. God Bless.

Thank you so much for making our holiday special. Without your help it would have been just another Thursday.

Things are very lean here this year and Christmas will be very very lean (yes we have applied for your help there too) I hate to ask for help but you are always so kind about it and I appreciate your being so kind and generous!

You will never know how much this help means to me and my kids.

Omg. I’ve been pinching my fingers for over a year with my crappy laundry basket and you gave me a top quality new laundry basket. I think there are food banks that help feed families but the non food things like laundry basket or the jackets on the table are much needed because there's never extra money for nonfood.

Wow. You really have no idea what it's like for a single mother (unless you are a single mother). THis is the nicest thing done for me all year. Thank you.

Today you can join with millions of Americans in turning an ordinary Tuesday into something more by turning intention into action. Please give generously to help the causes you love on "Giving Tuesday." And if one of them is Project GRACE, we thank you. You can make your gift online right now, or anytime. Thank you for your support, today and throughout the year.

Thanks to our many friends, neighbors, and supporters, 38 families and 15 senior households (about 175 people!) received bountiful Thanksgiving meal baskets, with all the fixings for a traditional holiday meal. Many had special touches, like flowers or festive napkins, and most included fresh vegetables and fruit, too. We are always impressed by the care and thoughfulness that goes into each basket. The cheery 'treat' bags for seniors were put together by Scarborough Daisies and Brownies, kids at Blue Point School made placemats, St. Max church shared their hall with us, the Volunteers in Police Service welcomed everyone and helped carry baskets to the car, and many volunteers lent a hand. This is giving project is one example of the generous holiday spirit -- and many helping hands -- that is a hallmark of our town.

Nearly two-hundred friends and neighbors from all over town came to Wentworth Café on Thanksgiving Day to enjoy a delicious and festive communal meal. Plus forty more who couldn't come to Wentworth were brought a holiday meal. Dozens of volunteers of all ages prepared a traditional holiday dinner with all the fixings under the direction of Chef Peter Esposito, set the tables and placed fresh floral arrangements, served up ice cream and homemade apple and pumpkin pies, and greeted guests with a welcoming smile. We are grateful for all who helped make this second annual community meal a great occasion, including the dozens of community volunteers, Scarborough Garden Club, Town of Scarborough Community Services, Project GRACE, Scarborough School Nutrition, Wentworth School custodial staff, and the steering committee: Kelly Murphy, Chef Peter Esposito, Ann LeGage, Brenda Franklin, Audra Keenan, Jackie Perry. We are especially thankful for all who came to Wentworth, because it was being together that was at the heart of it all. We hope you will join us again next year.

Together we can help our neighbors have a more joyful holiday season. We are hearing from families who are worried about how they'll keep their homes warm, put food on the table, and make sure their kids find a few items under the tree. We also collect items like soaps and shampoos, gift cards, and mittens... Can we count on your help this holiday season?

We are collecting donations of $10 to help us buy more Hannaford Helps meal boxes. Each contains staple items like rice, pasta, canned fruit and vegetables, and peanut butter. Every $10 box purchased at the Scarborough Hannaford's gets us closer to goal. The more that store collects, the better the chance our local food pantry will win a prize of gift cards. Other communities are competing for their favorite pantry, too. We are encouraging our neighbors to purchase a box or two at the Scarborough store to help the Scarborough Food Pantry win! Thank you!

Twenty-four teams competed for top honors in the 10th Annual Project GRACE Trivia Bee and bragging rights for Trivia Champions, Best Team Costumes, Best Team Name, and for Most Enthusiastic Supporters. It was a fun and high-spirited evening at Camp Ketcha, celebrating all that's good about being part of a community that cares.

After six rounds of questions and a couple of audacious challenges for the judges to decide, six teams made it to the semi-finals: In the Key of Bee, The Crooners, The Back Tee Bees, Bee Calm and Go Solar, The No Eyed Dears, and CK S'mores. After a final round of tough questions, The Back Tee Bees took top honors as the 2017 Trivia Bee Champions! The library team also scored the "Most Enthusiastic Supporters' trophy. We appreciate the teams for playing, helpful volunteers, our generous sponsors, and all who attended - you made this 10th Bee a success for Project GRACE. When we pull together to help our neighbors, everyone's a winner. Thank you, one and all!

We hope you'll join us at Camp Ketcha tonight to find out who will be the smartest team in town. It promises to be another lively, fun-filled, and light-hearted event. Come out and root for your favorites: several past champions who are coming back to vie for bragging rights and trophies (Trivia Champion, Best Team Name, Best Team Costumes, Most Enthusiastic Supporters) and there are new players, too!

Last year's Trivia Champions were the Maine POPS Concert Band's team In the Key of 'Bee'. Will they take the trophy again this year?!

Let our panel of esteemed Judges (Scarborough School Nurses) know who has the best team name. Judges will decide the winners tonight at the Bee. Good luck to all the teams! Last year, Scarborough Public Library's team took home the best team name prize: Mind Blowing Intelli-gents. And the Scarborough Fire Department took home another win in the Best Team Costumes category.

Stop by the Scarborough Community Garden on Saturday, October 14th for St. Nicholas' 3rd Annual Harvest Fest! There will be live music, food (brats, cider, pies, and more!), and crafts, too. Pick up some native Maine produce, fall mums, and take your chance on the raffle for great prizes. All are welcome!

The Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center and Friends of Scarborough Marsh are hosting their annual fall clean up of the marsh, and are also collected nourishing staple foods for Project GRACE and the Scarborough Food Pantry. Stop by the nature center on Route 9, on Saturday, October 28th, and enjoy the beautiful marsh and the company of your neighbors, and we hope you'll bring a nourishing staple food item like canned fish or canned fish chowder! Thank you!

Got Honey? Bee a Good Neighbor, Bring some to the LIbrary

Stop by the Scarborough Public Library throughout the month of October with a gift of honey or peanut butter or canned protein like tuna fish or ham. Look for the Project GRACE collection box! It's been decorated and is monitored by our local Daisy Girl Scout Troop - way to go girls!

Have you heard? Project GRACE has been voted 'Best of the Best' in the nonprofit category for the annual reader's poll that appeared in the Forecaster! Congratulations to our good friends at Southern Maine Agency on Aging and all the other "Best of the Best" winners. A huge thank you to all who voted for us -- and to our many friends and supporters, who make it possible for us to lend a hand throughout the year. We're the 'best of the best' thanks to all of you!

The Town of Scarborough is updating its Comprehensive Plan -- and everyone's invited to share their views on the future of our community. This is a participatory process, and along the way there are many ways to make your voice heard.

Mark your calendars for Monday, September 25th at 6:30 pm at the Scarborough High School for "Planapalooza". Join your neighbors for conversations surrounding land use, transportation, natural resources, parks and open spaces, bikeways, trails, public facilities and services, economic development, as well as community growth, development, design, housing and identity.